Device for operating an apparatus for providing prestations

ABSTRACT

A key having a plurality of frangible protusions for operation of the lock of an apparatus of the type which requires the use of an unlocking implement. The apparatus lock has an anvil for abutment with a selective protusion as the key is rotated within the lock. The anvil operates to break off one protrusion after each use of the key such that upon a predetermined number of uses of the key corresponding to the number of protrusions, the key no longer will operate the lock.

United States Patent Geneva, Switzerland 22 Filed: Sept. 14, 1970 211 App]. No.: 71,803

52 us. Cl ..194/4 [51] 1m. (:1. ..B67b 7/00 [58] Field of Search 194/4 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,249,194 5/1966 Bass ..194/4 E 3,338,364 8/1967 Hofiberger et al 194/4 R 3,338,365 8/1967 Hofi'berger et al 194/4 R 151 3,685,625 Loewy [451 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] DEVICE FOR OPERATINGAN 3,432,017 3/1969 Kliewer ..l94/4R APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING 3,344,897 10/1967 Kliewer 194/4 R PRESTATIONS [72] Inventor: Gene Loewy, 16, rue du Raveray, Pnmary Exanuner-samuel Coleman Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney-Silverman & Cass ABSTRACT A key having a plurality of frangible protusions for operation of the lock of an apparatus of the type which requires the use of an unlocking implement. The apparatus lock has an anvil for abutment with a selective protusion as the key is rotated within the lock. The anvil operates to break off one protrusion after each use of the key such that upon a predetermined number of uses of the key corresponding to the number of protrusions, the key no longer will operate the lock.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PMENTED I973 3.685.625

SHEET 1 nr 2 F104 F/G-Z FIG. 3

I NVENTOR. Gene LOEWV BWDLGAQ\ HTTOR UGYS PATENTED M1822 I972 sum 3 er 2 FIG. 6

1 DEVICE FOR OPERATING AN APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PRESTATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention has for an object a device for operating an apparatus providing prestations such as an automatic apparatus for distributing goods or an electric apparatus for providing services, like a massage apparatus, an apparatus for polishing shoes, etc.

The purpose of the present device is to .replace the prepaying device of such apparatuses.

The disadvantage of these prepaying devices lies in the fact that the user must have coins, which is not always the case, especially for people travelling in foreign countries.

Moreover, the prepaying apparatuses can be broken as well as they can be operated by spurious coinages or be blocked, which can produce important losses for their proprietaries.

Such prepaying apparatuses constitute moreover a blocking factor of the circulation of coinage, so that in several countries, with low coin circulation, such apparatuses are forbidden.

Furthermore, increases in the cost of the prestations to be distributed by such apparatuses require corresponding modifications of these apparatuses to re-set the operation mechanisms thereof so as to respond only upon deposit of the new coinage amount.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device which eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages in such apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings show, by way of example, one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention for operating an apparatus providing prestations, for example an automatic distributing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an end-on view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device of. FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in its working position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line lV--IV of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the device of the invention in two additional working positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device of the invention comprises an instrument, designated by the reference numeral 1, provided with a key shaped portion 2 for operating a lock 3 of the operating mechanism of the apparatus for providing prestations. Thus, and by way of simplification, the instrument 1 ,will be called hereafter key.

The key 1 can be used,this way, only on determined apparatuses, and not indifferently on any apparatus.

Key 1 is provided with five protrusions 1a, lb, 10, 1d and 1e intended to act, when the key is engaged into the lock 3 in the position represented in FIGS. 3 to 5, on an element 4. Element 4 is constructed in the shape of a sleeve and slides upon a guiding rod 5. Key 1 pushes element 4 in the direction of the arrow 6 (FIGS. 3 and 5) against the action of a return spring 7.

When the sleeve 4 is thus pushed axially by the key 1, a plate 8, secured to the sleeve, engages, through an arc-shaped aperture 9 (FIG. 4), a pin 10 which is secured to a disc 1 1.

When the key 1 is entirely engaged within the lock 3, the extremity of the key enters the sleeve 4 through an aperture of the sleeve. The sleeve aperture is of a shape corresponding to the section of the key which enters the sleeve, so that a rotative movement of the key impels a rotative movement to the sleeve 4 and also to the disc 11, through the intermediary of the plate 8 and of the rod 10.

Rotation of the disc 11 activates a mechanism (not shown) which causes operation of the distributing apparatus.

The sleeve 4 is rigid, in its axial displacements, with a sleeve 12 which slides on a rod 13. Plate 8 of sleeve 4 is positioned between two plates 14 and 15 secured to the sleeve 12. Sleeve 12 carries an element 16, constituting an anvil, situated opposite the one of the ending protrusions of the key 1 which bears against the sleeve 4. During the rotative movement of the key 1, the ending protrusion abuts against the element 16 and is broken at 17 (FIG. 2), at the point of the least resistance.

Thus, after use, when the key 1 is withdrawn from the lock 3, it has lost one of its protrusions. At each utilization of the key, one of the protrusions disappears, so that the key is progressively devalorizated as it is used. When the key does not present anymore protrusion, as represented in FIG. 6, it can be engaged entirely into the lock 3, without axially displacing the sleeve 4, within which it also enters entirely. Since sleeve 4 is not axially displaced, plate 8 secured to the sleeve remains out of contact with the pin 10, such that rotative movements of the key result only in rotation of the sleeve 4 and of the plate 8, but not of the disc 11.

Thus, the key is then inoperative and does not permit the operation of the distributing apparatus.

The purchaser buys the keys he needs, thus paying in advance for the prestations that he wants to obtain, either as goods furnished by automatic distributing apparatuses, or as services rendered by electric apparatuses. He no longer needs to carry coins, but can buy the keys in the trade, as he requires.

Each protrusion of the key has a certain monetary value which is set for operation of the type of the apparatus with which the key is intended to be used.

The key may be constructed of metal or, preferably, of bakelite or of plastic material; these last materials make forgeries difficult due to the fact that the keys can be obtained only by molding operations. The apparatuses for prestations could comprise means, for instance magnetic or photoelectric means, preventing keys other than the genuine keys from being used in lieu thereof.

Element 16, of the mechanism may also be movably mounted and be controlled by the action of a return spring (not shown) so that an exaggerated pressure must be exerted thereon for breaking the protrusions la to 1e of the key, producing a displacement of this element 16 against the action of the return device, the arrangement being such that this displacement effects locking of the mechanism.

Such a device will constitute a supplementary safety means preventing the use of spurious keys, the breaking of which would be effected differently from that of the genuine keys.

As a supplementary safety measure the keys, could be provided with hollow protrusions to 1e, each including a small amount of mercury the release of which, when the protrusion is broken, would result in operation of the mechanism of the apparatus; or, the protrusions la to 1e of the key could be provided with magnetic means to operate the said mechanism.

It is to be noted that the number of the protrusions of the key could be different from five; these protrusions could have any convenient shape and be replaced by any means which are broken away, or on the contrary, forming themselves as the key is used, such as holes, for instance, or any other marking. The portion constituting the key per se could be of any type capable of operating a lock.

What I claim is:

l. A device for operating an apparatus for providing prestations, said device comprising, a lock operable within the apparatus to start the same, a key adapted for mating engagement within the lock to operate same, the lock having a sleeve movable axially upon engagement of the key and movable circumferentially upon rotation of the key within the lock, said lock being operable to start the apparatus only upon both axial and circumferential movement of the sleeve, the key having a plurality of frangible protrusions spaced one adjacent the other along the length of the key, the lock including an anvil for-abutment with a selective protrusion to fracture same upon rotation of the key within the lock, said key adapted to move the sleeve axially only so long as at least one protrusion remains unfractured thereon, whereby upon a predetermined number of uses of said key corresponding to said number of protrusions the key no longer will move the sleeve axially within the lock.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said lock includes a disc positioned co-axial with said sleeve, the disc having a pin extending therefrom for engagement with said sleeve only upon axial movement of the sleeve toward said disc.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said anvil is coupled to said sleeve so as to move axially in response to axial movement of the sleeve whereby upon each use of the key the anvil is positioned to fracture a selective protrusion. 

1. A device for operating an apparatus for providing prestations, said device comprising, a lock operable within the apparatus to start the same, a key adapted for mating engagement within the lock to operate same, the lock having a sleeve movable axially upon engagement of the key and movable circumferentially upon rotation of the key within the lock, said lock being operable to start the apparatus only upon both axial and circumferential movement of the sleeve, the key having a plurality of frangible protrusions spaced one adjacent the other along the length of the key, the lock including an anvil for abutment with a selective protrusion to fracture same upon rotation of the key within the lock, said key adapted to move the sleeve axially only so long as at least one protrusion remains unfractured thereon, whereby upon a predetermined number of uses of said key corresponding to said number of protrusions the key no longer will move the sleeve axially within the lock.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said lock includes a disc positioned co-axial with said sleeve, the disc having a pin extending therefrom for engagement with said sleeve only upon axial movement of the sleeve toward said disc.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said anvil is coupled to said sleeve so as to move axially in response to axial movement of the sleeve whereby upon each use of the key the anvil is positioned to fracture a selective protrusion. 